Eric Williams
NFC West Author
Recognized for throwing the soccer for the reason that days of “Air Coryell” led by Corridor of Fame QB Dan Fouts, the Chargers want a big-play receiver after transferring on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams because of wage cap restraints.
Fortuitously for the Chargers, there is a deep and proficient group of receivers accessible on this 12 months’s draft, which implies that new head coach Jim Harbaugh has a possibility to enhance this place group.
Harbaugh, nevertheless, wasn’t about to tip his hand throughout a press convention this week because the Bolts began offseason work.
“I am excited to see that,” Harbaugh informed reporters when requested in regards to the receiving expertise within the draft. “Nevertheless it’s the identical for each place. There’s been some good conversations, however like I mentioned, that is discuss. Now, we get some motion. We get to satisfy with guys and begin on soccer.”
After an uneven efficiency in his rookie season, Quentin Johnston, L.A.’s first-round choice final 12 months, can be anticipated to tackle a bigger function within the offense and make a significant soar in improvement in 12 months 2. Johnston’s development, together with the emergence of returnees Josh Palmer and Derius Davis, ought to assist fill the void left by Allen and Williams.
Together with that, Harbaugh employed top-of-the-line large receiver coaches within the enterprise in Sanjay Lal. However the Chargers nonetheless want to seek out some receiving assist in the draft. Within the first three rounds, they personal the No. 5, No. 37 and No. 69 picks. Amongst their six different picks, they’ve two fourth-rounders and two seventh-rounders.
Let’s take a better take a look at six large receiver prospects who might make sense for the Bolts.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Sure, Harbaugh is constructing this workforce by the trenches and can look so as to add a giant physique up entrance if the Chargers don’t commerce down from No. 5. Nonetheless, he informed reporters throughout the NFL homeowners conferences that the Chargers might have the highest non-quarterback choice if the primary 4 groups all take signal-callers.
That labored properly for the Chargers in 2016, when quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz went within the first two picks, leaving the Bolts to pick out Ohio State cross rusher Joey Bosa.
If one thing related occurs this 12 months, the Bolts could be clever to go along with one other Buckeye. Harrison could possibly be the workforce’s No. 1 receiver for the subsequent decade — if the Cardinals cross on him, or commerce their choose, at No. 4.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Harrison is the son of Corridor of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., whom Harbaugh performed with throughout his time with the Indianapolis Colts. Plus, Harbaugh understands what kind of dynamic playmaker Harrison is from dealing with him yearly within the Large Recreation whereas teaching at Michigan.
Taking Harrison might negate a few of the sting for QB Justin Herbert shedding his safety blanket when the Chargers traded Allen to the Bears.
Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. headline Nick’s NFL mock draft
Malik Nabers, LSU
If Harrison is passed by No. 5, Nabors is sensible for the Chargers due to his playmaking skill, and he could be a superb complement to the sphere stretcher in Johnson.
At 6-foot and 200 kilos and timed at 4.34 seconds within the 40-yard sprint at his professional day, Nabers is an explosive play ready to occur. He completed with 89 receptions for 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns final season, averaging 17.6 yards per reception.
Basic supervisor Joe Hortiz and Lal had been at LSU Professional Day. Nabers additionally visited with the Chargers in Los Angeles this week.
May Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze be taken over Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
If the Chargers resolve to commerce down with a quarterback-needy workforce such because the Minnesota Vikings and acquire a second choice within the first spherical, Mitchell might make sense on the finish of Day 1.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver ran a formidable 4.34 40 on the NFL Scouting Mix. He is a giant play ready to occur, averaging 15.4 yards per reception and ending with 11 touchdowns in his remaining season with the Longhorns. Lal attended Texas Professional Day.
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings | High 10 QB prospects | High 10 RB prospects | High 10 WR prospects | High 10 TE prospects | High 10 OT prospects | High 10 IOL prospects | High 10 Edge prospects | High 10 DT prospects | Joel Klatt’s mock draft
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
With Allen gone, the Chargers definitely might use a receiver who can line up within the slot and persistently make performs. At 6-foot and 186 kilos and with good quickness, McConkey might present that skill, whereas additionally lining up on the perimeter at occasions in Greg Roman’s offense.
Once more, the Chargers are on the lookout for receivers who present versatility and are completely different from gamers they have already got within the WR room. The Georgia product additionally comes from a successful tradition and has made large performs in clutch moments.
McConkey makes quite a lot of sense for the Chargers on the prime of the second spherical.
Roman Wilson, Michigan
Harbaugh could be very aware of Wilson from teaching him with the Wolverines. He could be an instantaneous slot in L.A.’s offense as a result of not solely can he make performs within the passing recreation, however he is additionally a prepared blocker within the operating recreation.
Additional, Wilson confirmed expertise as a playmaker within the purple zone. Based on Professional Soccer Focus, he had 16 receptions for 143 yards and 9 touchdowns on 21 targets within the purple zone over the previous two seasons.
Why Joel Klatt believes Roman Wilson can be an awesome NFL WR
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Whereas Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan made large performs in Washington’s offense, Polk was an underrated performer for the Huskies. He had 69 receptions for 1,169 receiving yards and 9 scores final season.
Polk has respectable measurement (6-foot-1, 203 kilos) and respectable pace (4.52 40) and could possibly be somebody who can win contested catches often for Herbert. He could be a superb choice for the Chargers as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 choose.
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, masking the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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